World News This Week in Prayer – Thursday, June 29, 2017

Your glorious cause, O God Engages our hearts May Jesus Christ be known Wherever we are We ask not for ourselves, but for Your renown The cross has saved us so we pray Your kingdom come.
– Let Your Kingdom Come, by Bob Kauflin

Holy and almighty God, in the face of suffering and trials, we turn inward, grasping to maintain the fleeting illusion of control over the world around us. We know that we are powerless to stop the hands of time, to hold onto that which we desire, or even to keep ourselves alive and well. Whether we admit it or not, our lives are in your hands, O God. And so we beg you to teach us to pray with our minds, our hearts, our spirits, and our lives: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the face of a travel ban to the US for people from six primarily Muslim countries that is preventing refugees from escaping persecution and keeping families apart: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the face of an escalating refugee crisis in Europe, in which Italy has threatened to close ports and block rescue ships from docking: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the face of continued racial injustice in the US, where criminal justice reform is so desperately needed: In the lives of those in need: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the face of the deaths of dozens of people who were deserted by human traffickers in Niger without food or water: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the face of sex abuse accusations against a high-ranking Vatican official: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the face of a corruption scandal that has engulfed a large number of Brazil’s national government officials: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the face of the deaths of newborn babies in Gaza City, Palestine, who are denied exit permits for treatment in Israel: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the lives of those in need: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the lives of those we love: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the life of your church: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

In the life of our world: your kingdom come, O Lord, and your will be done.

Gratitudes

December 28, 2013

In October, Pope Francis formally gave permission for Roman Catholic masses in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas to be celebrated in Tzotzil and Tzeltal, the two native languages that are the only languages spoken by 65% of the population – and Christmas masses were for the first time celebrated in those languages. For this […]